When a person is accused of a crime, it is up to the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person is guilty of the crime. Of course, there are sometimes different ways in which individuals could handle their criminal cases, such as by pleading guilty in order to take a deal, if available. However, if a person pleads not guilty, he or she may want to work on a criminal defense presentation.
It was recently reported that a man in Missouri pleaded not guilty to charges for first-degree murder and armed criminal action. According to reports, authorities had gone to a woman’s home to conduct a well-being check, and during that check, they found that she was deceased. It was unclear what prompted police officers to conduct the check.
While at the woman’s home, the man arrived, and officers took him into custody. It was noted that he had a history of domestic abuse with the woman, but it was unclear whether this history played into the reason for his arrest. Reports indicated that the man allegedly stated that he shot the woman, and there were purportedly also injuries relating to strangulation on the woman’s body.
First-degree murder is a serious charge, and because the man has pleaded not guilty, he will likely want to find the best options for addressing his criminal defense. It can certainly be difficult to handle such severe allegations, but this Missouri man does not have to feel without hope. Gaining information from local legal resources about his defense options may be a step in the right direction.